Resonance ionization mass spectroscopy for trace analysis of neptunium

Resonance ionization mass spectroscopic (RIMS) measurements for trace analysis and spectroscopy of 237Np, the ecologically most important isotope of neptunium, are described. The chemical procedure for the separation of neptunium from aqueous samples as well as the preparation of filaments for RIMS are outlined. Several two- and three-step excitation schemes have been investigated in order to find suitable conditions for the sensitive detection of 237Np. Using a three-step, three-color excitation and ionization scheme an overall detection efficiency of 3×10−8 was obtained, resulting in a detection limit of 4×108 atoms (160 fg) of 237Np. The hyperfine structure splittings of the levels under…

Measurement of the decay KL→e+e−γγ

The full data set of the NA31 experiment at CERN has been used to analyse the decay mode KOL → e+ e-γγ. A signal of 47 events has been observed with an estimated background of 6.9 events. The total number of kaon decays in the decay volume was determined to be (2.1 ± 0.1stat) · 109. This corresponds to a branching ratio of (8.0 ± 1.5+1.4-1.2)· 10-7. © 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Erste Messung der Ionisationsenergie von Americium und Curium

A test of chiral perturbation theory from the measurement of the decay KS → γγ

Data from NA31 experiment at CERN have been used to measure the decay KS → γγ. From 69 candidate events of the type K0 → γγ, 52 events can be attributed to KL → γγ and one event is expected from background processes. The ratio of the relative decay widths R = Γ(KS → γγ)Γ(KL → γγ) is measured to be R = 2.2 ± 1.0(stat.) ± 0.3(syst.) ± 0.2(ext.) where the external systematic error is due to the experimental uncertainty in the branching ratio of the decay KL → γγ. This translates into a branching ratio of BR(KS → γγ) = (2.2 ± 1.1) × 10−6. If these data are combined with the published data from an earlier data taking period with the same experiment, the ratio R is determined to be R = 2.35 ± 0.7…

Search for the decay KL → 3γ

Abstract Data from the NA31 experiment at the CERN SPS have been used for the first search for the decay mode KL → 3γ. Seven events have been found with an estimated background of 6.7 ± 1.5 events. The corresponding upper limit for the branching ratio is Γ(K L → 3γ) Γ(K L → all ) = 2.4 × 10 −7 at the 90% confidence level, assuming a phase-space decay distribution.

Principle and analytical applications of resonance lonization mass spectrometry

Resonance ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) is a very sensitive analytical technique for the detection of trace elements. This method is based on the excitation and ionization of atoms with resonant laser light followed by mass analysis. It allows element and, in some cases, isotope selective ionization and is applicable to most of the elements of the periodic table. A high selectivity can be achieved by applying three step photoionization of the elements under investigation and an additional mass separation for an unambiguous isotope assignment. An effective facility for resonance ionization mass spectrometry consists of three dye lasers which are pumped by two copper vapor lasers and of…

Study of short-lived tin isotopes with a laser ion source

A chemically selective laser ion source based on resonance ionization of atoms in a hot cavity has been applied for the study of short-lived silver isotopes at CERN/ ISOLDE. Silver atoms were ionized by two resonant excitations and final laser ionization into the continuum. Decay properties of the neutron-rich isotopes121–127Ag were studied with a neutron long-counter and aβ-detector.

Production of radioactive Ag ion beams with a chemically selective laser ion source

Abstract We have developed a chemically selective laser ion source at the CERN-ISOLDE facility in order to study neutron-rich Ag nuclides. A pulsed laser system with high repetition rate has been used based on high-power coppe-vapour pump lasers and dye lasers. With this source significant reductions of the isobaric background has been achieved.

Experimental ground stateg J-factor of Ba+ in a Penning ion trap

We observed the Zeeman-splitting of the 6S1/2 – 6P1/2 resonance transition of Ba+-ions (493.4 nm) in a 6T magnetic field. The ions were stored in a Penning quadrupole trap. We polarized the ground state by optical pumping and in a microwave-optical double resonance experiment we measured the ground state Zeeman-splitting. From the resonance frequency and the cyclotron frequency of electrons stored in the same trap we derived theg-factor of the 6S1/2 state. The result isgJ(6S1/2)=2.002 490 6(11), in reasonable agreement with recent calculations.

Beta decay of the new isotope101Sn

The very neutron-deficient isotope 101Sn was produced in a 50Cr(58Ni, 2p5n) reaction and its decay properties were determined for the first time. By using chemically selective ion sources of an on-line mass separator, the energy spectrum and the half-life (3 ± 1 s) of beta-delayed protons of 101Sn were measured. These results are compared to theoretical predictions.

First Determination of the Ionization Potential of Americium and Curium

An efficient excitation scheme for resonance ionization of tin in a laser ion source

An efficient three-colour, three-step resonant excitation/ionization scheme has been found for tin that leads from the 5p23P2 level of the ground-state multiplet via two excited atomic levels (λ1 = 317.51 nm and λ2 = 811.40 nm) to an autoionizing state 9s3P2(λ3 = 823.49 nm) at 59375.9 cm−1. This excitation path permits the saturation of all transitions with the limited power available from a copper vapour laser pumped dye laser system (Esat ≈ 1.5 mJcm2 for λ3). The high repetition rate of such a laser system is essential for a highly efficient laser ion source.